PAGADIAN CITY – What was supposed to be a day of celebration turned into tragedy after an active member of the Philippine Army was stabbed to death inside his home on the night of his birthday, August 17, 2025, at Stephen Homes, Barangay Manga, Pagadian City.
The victim was identified as Private First Class Raffy Bitancor, 33, a member of the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division. He was rushed to the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center in Dao, Pagadian City, but was declared dead on arrival at around 11:35 p.m.
According to the Pagadian City Police Station, the incident occurred at about 11:23 p.m. Bitancor’s wife, Claire, recounted that she was in their bedroom with their child when their doorbell rang several times. Upon stepping out, a neighbor informed her that her husband was lying in a pool of blood.
She rushed to him and found the soldier bleeding heavily and vomiting blood. He was immediately brought to the hospital but did not survive his injuries.
Earlier that day, the family had happily celebrated Bitancor’s birthday. Police investigation revealed that he had been drinking with friends, and one of his drinking companions was reportedly a barangay tanod from the same village. After the stabbing, the said tanod was nowhere to be found and is now considered a person of interest.
Authorities have launched a hot pursuit operation to locate the suspect while investigators continue to determine the exact motive behind the killing.
Bitancor’s remains are currently at Gamalinda Funeral Homes before being brought to their residence in Stephen Homes, Barangay Manga, for the wake.